August 2010 Worldwide world Defense news army military industry exhibition industries equipment UK

Iran
Back
MenuTehran's
preparedness to equip the Lebanese Army with the necessary military
tools and weapons.

Iranian
Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi on Monday
renewed Tehran's preparedness to equip the Lebanese
Army with the necessary military tools and weapons.
"If they (Lebanese) demand, the Islamic Republic
of Iran is ready to provide the country with their needed
arms for defending Lebanon's borders," Vahidi said
in an interview with the Arabic Language Al Alam network.
"The Army of Lebanon is our friend and is in a
region that is under the Zionist regime's pressure and
threat," Vahidi noted. Last week, Iranian Ambassador
to Beirut Qazanfar Roknabadi said that Tehran is prepared
to arm the Lebanese Army, and added, "If Lebanon
officially calls for Iran's help to equip its army,
Iran will feel honored to help Lebanon's army."
Iranian Ambassador to Beirut also said that the issue
will be brought up during President Ahmadinejad's upcoming
visit to Lebanon, which comes at the invitation of his
Lebanese counterpart Michel Sulayman. The remarks by
the Iranian officials came after Lebanese President
Michel Sulayman officially asked Iran to equip and modernize
the Lebanese Army. Meantime, Secretary-General of Hezbollah
Seyed Hassan Nasrallah on Tuesday welcomed the Lebanese
government's decision to ask for Tehran's cooperation
in equipping the country's Army. Nasrallah urged the
Lebanese Cabinet to ask Iran and Arab states to provide
equipment for Lebanon's army, stressing that "Hezbollah
will work hard through its friendship with Iran to equip
the Lebanese Army." Nasrallah said Beirut should
seek an alternative source for its military needs, and
stressed, "Lebanon must ask for help from countries
that are willing to sell arms to Beirut without any
conditions." The US Congress decided to block its
$100 million military aid to Lebanon shortly after a
deadly border clash between Lebanese and Israeli soldiers
in early August. 30 August 2010

Azerbaijan
Back
MenuRussian Helicopters
company will supply four Kamov Ka-32 helicopters to Azerbaijan.

Russian
Helicopters company will supply four Kamov Ka-32 helicopters
to Azerbaijan in the near future, the Azerbaijani APA
news agency said on Monday. It is not known which of
the country's state departments or institutions ordered
the helicopters, the report said. In May, the Azerbaijan
Emergencies Ministry bought two Ka-32 helicopters from
Russia. The Ka-32 is a 12-ton coaxial twin-rotor helicopter
that can carry a payload of up to four tons. It is commonly
used in utility cargo work and fire-fighting, has an
endurance of about four hours and cruises at 205 kilometers
per hour. 30 August 2010

Somalia
Back
MenuFour Ugandan
soldiers of the AMISOM killed in Somalia.

Four
Ugandan soldiers of the peace force of the African Union
in Somalia (Amisom) were killed Monday by a mortar fire
in Mogadiscio, during engagements against the islamist
insurrectionists shebab, announced the spokesperson
of this force.30 August 2010

Iran
on Sunday started mass-production of the county's longest-range
artillery ammunition in an official ceremony attended
by Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad
Vahidi. Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the mass
production of Base bleed projectiles in the capital
Tehran, Vahidi said the new 130 millimeter advanced
artillery shells will be the longest range artillery
shells in arsenals of the Islamic Republic's army, Iran's
Defense Ministry said on its website. "These ammunitions
use solid propellants and act like ballistic missiles,"
Vahidi added. He also lauded Iranian experts at the
arms production division of the country's defense industries
for their efforts to modify the base bleed system in
order to further enhance the range of the ammunitions
from 27 to 42 kilometers. The defense minister also
said such achievements demonstrate that sanctions against
Iran have been ineffective. Base bleed is a system used
on some artillery shells to increase their range, typically
by about 30%. 29 August 2010

American
Company Lockheed Martin markets a drone helicopter intended
to supply the American soldiers in Afghanistan, announced
this 27 August 2010 by some European media. The UAV
baptized Kaman K-MAX can transport a charge of 1,300
kg. It will be used to forward food and ammunition to
the bases deployed in the “hot spots”. Ordered
remotely using a laptop or conduit by a pilot installed
inside the cockpit, the helicopter can be used in any
weather condition. Its maximum speed in load is of 147
km/h. The representatives of Lockheed Martin did not
say the exact date of entry of this drone helicopter
in service, but however indicated that in the event
of success of the tests, it would make his appearance
in Afghanistan at the end of 2011. Lockheed Martin Corporation
appears among the largest American manufacturers of
aeronautical, space, navy and military equipment.28 August 2010

American
bases in Afghanistan were attacked by kamikazes Taliban’s.
These suicides actions were stopped by the NATO soldiers.
These attacks aimed at the camps advanced of Chapman
and Salerno, in the province of Khost, close to the
Pakistani border. The Chapman base had been attacked
already by a kamikaze in December 2009, who had caused
the death of seven agents of the CIA. According to certain
sources, members of the Afghan government would have
been remunerated by the American agency. The Afghan
president, Hamid Karzai qualified these remarks of insults,
and used to discredit the government of its country.28 August 2010

American
bases in Afghanistan attacked by kamikazes suicides
talibans.

Iran
Back
MenuIran able
to export military equipment to other coutries.

A
senior lawmaker noted Iran's advancement in the production
of military tools, weapons and equipment, and said Tehran
is prepared to export its products to the other countries.
"The government has the ability to export military
equipment to different countries," member of the
parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission
Seyed Mohammad Javad Abtahi told FNA on Saturday. Tehran
launched an arms development program during the 1980-88
Iraqi imposed war on Iran to compensate for a US weapons
embargo. Since 1992, Iran has produced its own tanks,
armored personnel carriers, missiles and fighter planes.
Yet, Iranian officials have always stressed that the
country's military and arms programs serve defensive
purposes and should not be perceived as a threat to
any other country.28 August 2010

The
Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) has deployed a 52-man Unmanned
Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Task Group to Tarin Kowt, the provincial
capital of Uruzgan, and a team of four institutional
trainers to Kabul as part of Singapore's overall contribution
to the multinational stabilisation and reconstruction
efforts in Afghanistan. The UAV Task Group, which commences
operations today, will be deployed for three months,
from August to November 2010. The four institutional
trainers, who started their operations a week earlier,
will be deployed till December 2010. They will then
hand over to a second rotation of institutional trainers
who will be deployed for four months till April 2011.
This is the first time that the SAF is deploying a UAV
Task Group and institutional trainers to Afghanistan.
During its deployment, the UAV Task Group will operate
out of Multinational Base Tarin Kowt to augment the
International Security Assistance Force's (ISAF's) surveillance
and reconnaissance capabilities in Uruzgan. The Task
Group will be carrying out assigned tasks such as the
surveillance of key roads, to enhance the security of
Afghan locals and the international forces. The four
SAF institutional trainers are deployed in an artillery
school in Kabul to assist in the ISAF's efforts to train
the Afghan National Army (ANA). They will advise the
ANA on artillery training and doctrine development,
assist in the design of Train-the-Trainer programmes
for ANA instructors, and advise the school on the effective
administration and conduct of artillery courses. The
SAF has been making deployments to Afghanistan since
May 2007. The SAF currently has a six-man construction
engineering team in Bamiyan province supervising the
construction of a comprehensive health clinic, as well
as a 21-man Weapon Locating Radar team at the Tarin
Kowt base since September 2009 to provide early warning
of rocket attacks and enhance force protection measures
for ISAF personnel. Earlier this year, an eight-man
SAF surgical team was deployed to a field hospital at
the same base to provide surgical and medical support
to the ISAF personnel deployed there, as well as emergency
medical care for the Afghan locals. 27 August 2010

Estonia
is buying over 80 SISU XA-188 armored carriers, currently
owned by the Dutch defense forces, for close to 20 million
euros. The Estonian defense forces want to use the vehicles
to continue mechanizing the 1st Infantry Brigade and
to offer their units in Afghanistan a better level of
armored protection. "Compared with the current
armored carriers these ones offer better protection,
and the first carriers should reach Afghanistan this
year for the use by the Estonian troops stationed there,"
said Minister of Defense Jaak Aaviksoo. The Ministry
of Defense is currently in preliminary negotiations
with the Netherlands on unit prices, delivery terms
and payment schedule. The delivery will be made starting
this year through 2015. Estonia previously purchased
60 SISU XA-180EST armored carriers from Finland in 2004,
costing four million euros. The SISU XA-188 is similar
to the latest vehicles, which will make use, maintenance
and repair of the Dutch vehicles easier. The ministry
said the new vehicles have better protection against
live fire, IEDs and mines. Also to be procured from
the Netherlands are medical and control point armored
vehicles. These vehicles, 80 in number, will be used
to deliver supplies to the 1st Infantry Brigade.27 August 2010

Palestine
Back
MenuRussian wheeled
armored vehicles BTR-70 sent to Palestinian National Authority stuck
in Jordan.

Fifty
wheeled armored personnel carriers BTR-70 sent by Russia
to the Palestinian National Authority are stuck in Jordan
because of Israeli red tape, the Palestinian ambassador
to Russia said on Thursday. Russia sent the armored
personnel carriers to the PNA in June. The vehicles
have to be delivered to the PNA's administrative capital
of Ramallah via Jordan. "This delay is caused by
formalities from the Israeli side. They drag out this
process in every possible way," Fayed Mustafa said.
"But we hope that our forthcoming direct talks
with Israel will help resolve the situation," he
said.26 August 2010

Iranian
Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi announced
on Wednesday that the country has successfully test-fired
the third generation of Fateh-110 missiles. The Fateh-110
is a short-range, road-mobile, solid-propellant, high-precision
ballistic missile with advanced navigation and control
systems. Speaking on the sidelines of a cabinet meeting
here in Tehran today, Vahidi told reporters that the
newly tested missile enjoys high precision, and added,
"Use of highly precise navigation and control systems
in this missile has enabled it to hit targets with high
precision." He added that the new generation of
the Fateh-110 has been designed and developed by the
Iranian experts in the Defense Ministry's Aerospace
Organization and has not been modeled on any foreign
product. Vahidi announced that the Iranian Armed Forces
will be equipped with this missile in mid-September,
and stated, "The missile power of the Armed Forces
will be remarkably boosted by these missiles."
The Iranian defense ministry has made great achievements
in designing and producing missiles, including the surface-to-surface
solid-fuel Sejjil missiles, the long-range Shahab-3
ballistic missile which has a range of up to 2,000 km,
and Zelzal and Fateh missiles. The new test came days
after Iran test-fired a new type surface to surface,
cruise missile, named Qiam 1. "Being a new class
of Iranian missiles, Qiam 1 has been equipped with new
technical features and exceptional tactical power,"
Vahidi said, addressing a congregation of people on
Tehran University campus on Friday. He explained that
the missile is equipped with a smart navigation system,
which decreases the possibility of interception by other
projectiles. Vahidi added at the time that the liquid-fuel
missile's launch time is low due to its smart targeting
system. Iran has been pushing an arms development program
in recent years in a bid to reach self-sufficiency.
Tehran launched its arms development program during
the 1980-88 Iraqi imposed war on Iran to compensate
for a US weapons embargo. Since 1992, Iran has produced
its own jet fighters and armored vehicles as well as
radar-avoiding missiles and other high-tech weapons.
Yet, Iranian officials have always stressed that the
country's military and arms programs serve defensive
purposes and should not be perceived as a threat to
any other country. 26 August 2010

South
Ossetia Back
MenuRussia denies
deployment of S-300 air defense missile system in South Ossetia.

There
is no truth to the Georgian Foreign Minister's statement
that Russia has deployed S-300 air defense systems in
South Ossetia, a source in the Russian Defense Ministry
said on Wednesday. "There are no Russian S-300
systems on the territory of South Ossetia. There is
no need for it," the source said. "The protection
of the Russian military base as well as South Ossetia
is carried out by Buk air defense systems," the
source said, adding that the former Georgian republic's
landscape would restrict the deployment of S-300 systems.
Earlier on Wednesday, Georgian Foreign Minister Grigol
Vashadze said Russia had deployed S-300 systems in South
Ossetia. "Russia has deployed S-300s in the occupied
Abkhazia... I assure you that while Russia has not announced
this yet, the Russian S-300s are also deployed in the
Tskhinvali region," he said. South Ossetian Defense
Minister Valery Yakhnovets also refuted the statement.
He said South Ossetia has no need for S-300s "at
the present time." Russian Air Force commander-in-chief
Col. Gen. Alexander Zelin said on August 11 Russia had
deployed S-300 systems in Abkhazia - a statement that
angered Georgia but failed to surprise the U.S. State
Department which said the systems appeared to have been
in place for the last two years. "It is our understanding
that Russia has had S-300 missiles in Abkhazia for the
last two years... We can't confirm whether they have
added to them or not," Department spokesman Philip
Crowley said. Russia recognized the independence of
Abkhazia and South Ossetia in August 2008 after winning
a brief war with Georgia over South Ossetia. Russia
signed agreements with Abkhazia and South Ossetia earlier
this year on establishing permanent military bases in
the republics. The bases are located in Gudauta, on
Abkhazia's Black Sea coast, and in South Ossetia's capital,
Tskhinvali. Each base hosts up to 1,700 servicemen,
T-62 tanks, light armored vehicles, air defense systems
and a variety of aircraft. 26 August 2010

United
States (Oshkosh) Back
MenuU.S. Army
Orders 1,100 Oshkosh Defense Vehicles to Support the National Guard
and Reserve.

Oshkosh
Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK),
announced today it has received a delivery order modification
from the U.S. Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command
(LCMC) to supply more than 1,100 trucks and trailers
to the National Guard and Reserve as part of the U.S.
Army's Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles fleet. "This
award demonstrates the government's confidence in the
Oshkosh FMTV program," said Mike Ivy, vice president
and general manager of Army Programs for Oshkosh Defense.
"Every truck delivery is important. We are especially
pleased to support the men and women of the National
Guard and Reserve. We are anxious to do all we can to
help modernize these important components of our national
security." Deliveries for this latest award, valued
at more than $180 million, will remain on the original
contract timeline and be completed by April 2012. The
award includes three FMTV truck variants and two different
trailers, which will be produced at the company's facilities
in Wisconsin. The five-year FMTV contract awarded to
Oshkosh Defense is for the production of an estimated
23,000 trucks and trailers, as well as support services
and training through fiscal 2013. The government has
exercised contracts for more than 7,300 trucks and trailers
to-date. The FMTV is a series of 17 models ranging from
2.5-ton to 10-ton payloads. Vehicles feature a parts
commonality of more than 80 percent, resulting in streamlined
maintenance, training, sustainment and overall cost
efficiency for the U.S. Army.25 August 2010

Law
enforcement agencies and special services of the Shanghai
Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states will begin
on Wednesday the active stage of their anti-terrorism
drills, the Russian National Antiterrorism Committee
said. The exercises in southern Russia's Saratov Region
are being held in two stages. The first stage was held
on August 16-23, and the second begins on Wednesday
and will last until August 28. "The aim of the
exercises is to organize cooperation among national
antiterrorism centers, special services and law enforcement
bodies of the SCO member states to implement a complex
of measures to prevent acts of terrorism in crowded
places," the committee said in a statement. During
the first stage of the drills, Russian, Kyrgyz and Kazakh
law enforcement agencies and special services practiced
coordinated operational and investigative activities
against a hypothetical terrorist group. The SCO is a
security organization consisting of China, Kazakhstan,
Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. India,
Iran, Mongolia and Pakistan have observer status. 25 August 2010

Patria
and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) of the Republic of
Croatia signed an Amendment related to the manufacturing
and delivery contract of 126 Patria AMV 8x8 wheeled
armoured vehicles on July 2010. The negotiations were
started on the Croatian MoD’s initiative due to
the financial reasons. According to the amendment the
number of vehicles remains unchanged and the deliveries
will be completed by the end of 2012. The vehicle versions
were updated to match the current requirements of the
Ministry of Defence. Majority of the vehicles will be
manufactured in Croatia by Patria’s local consortium
partner Duro Dakovic Special Vehicles (DDSV).The new
revised contract also strengthens financial capabilities
of DDSV in this program. In addition to the initial
batch of 6 vehicles manufactured in Finland Patria has
completed the transfer of technology to DDSV. DDSV has
already locally manufactured the first 9 Patria AMV
8x8 basic vehicles. “Patria is very pleased that
the amendment negotiations were concluded in good cooperation
and understanding with all parties. This new amendment
further strengthens Patria’s leading position
as the supplier of armoured wheeled vehicles but also
opens possibilities for future business opportunities
with our Croatian partner”, states Mr Seppo Seppälä,
President of Patria Land & Armament Oy.24 August 2010

United
States (Force Protection) Back
MenuForce Protection
Receives $64.1 Million Award for Additional Vehicle Cougar I Modernization.

Force
Protection Industries, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary
of Force Protection Inc. (NASDAQ:FRPT), a leading designer,
developer and manufacturer of survivability solutions
and provider of total life cycle support for those products,
today announced that it has received a modification
to existing contract M67854-07-D-5031 with an approximate
value of $64.1 million for seat survivability upgrade
kits for 1,946 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Category
I Cougar vehicles. The modification is subject to definitization.
Work will be performed primarily in Afghanistan with
additional work in Kuwait and home stations in the United
States. All work under this modification is expected
to be complete by February, 2011.23 August 2010

Russia
Back
MenuRussia started
the preparations of the firing practices of ground-to-air missiles S-300
at Barents sea.

Russia
started the preparations of the firing practices of
S-300 missiles at Barents sea, information from this
23 August 2010 of Vladimir Drik from the Russian ministry
of Defense. “This Monday, the preparations of
the firing practices of S-300 from the island of Kildin
began”, indicated the interlocutor of the agency
without specifying the date of the exercises. According
to M.Drik, the troops of missiles “will improve
their knowledge to make as regards preparation with
the combat, of loading of the batteries of missiles
and co-operation with the naval forces”.23 August 2010

Russia
Back
MenuTraining
for the russian military mountaineers in the North Caucasus Republic
of Kabardino-Balkaria.

A
hundred Russian military mountaineers will gather at
a training base in the North Caucasus Republic of Kabardino-Balkaria
on Monday for mountain survival training. They will
learn how to climb grass- and gravel-covered slopes,
rocks and glaciers. "The servicemen will also learn
safety rules during climbing, as well as first aid and
evacuation of injured people from remote mountainous
regions," a military spokesman said. The training
will continue through mid-September.23 August 2010

Russia
Back
MenuLarge-scale
military exercises involving more than 4,000 Russian army paratroopers.

Large-scale exercises involving more than 4,000 paratroopers
will begin in two Central Russian regions on Monday,
Airborne Troops spokesman Col. Alexander Cherednik said.
The
exercises in the Ivanovo and Kostroma Regions will be
held through August 28 under the command of Russian
Airborne Troops Commander Lt. Gen. Vladimir Shamanov.
They will also involve 300 units of equipment. Over
30 vehicles and weapons will be airdropped during the
exercises. The Airborne Troops are considered the most
capable mobile assault forces in Russia. Various estimates
put the current personnel at around 48,000 troops, deployed
in four divisions and a brigade.23 August 2010

Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi
announced on Sunday that the country's first home-made
long-range Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) named 'Karrar'
has a flight range of 1,000km. "Karrar's flying
radius reaches 1000km," Vahidi said on the sidelines
of a ceremony to unveil Karrar, and added, "In
addition to Karrar, Iran possesses other UAVs with a
flying range of 1,000 km." Iran successfully tested
a home-made radar-evading UAV with bombing capabilities
in June 2009. Also in 2008, the country's Defense Industries
launched production lines of two well-known home-made
fighter jets, namely Saeqeh (Thunderbolt) and Azarakhsh
(Lightening). Iran
started construction of a plant in the northern province
of Mazandaran in March 2009 to mass produce various
types of UAVs for a wide variety of missions. Hamed
Saeedi, Managing Director of Farnas Aerospace Company
in charge of the project, said that his company has
been dealing with designing and manufacturing UAVs and
reconnaissance and pilot training drones for the last
9 years. "We plan to manufacture UAVs, including
unmanned choppers and drones, at this site" he
said, referring to the plant in Mazandaran province.
Regarding specifications of the UAVs to be produced
by the plant, Saeedi noted, "Drones will be of
the tactical type, with a short range of 400 to 500
meters flying altitude which cannot be detected by radio
waves as they will be stealth aircraft." He singled
out detection and control of contraband trafficking
on land and in the sea and assistance in firefighting
operations, specially in the woods as among other advantages
of the UAVs to be manufactured in the plant. 22 August 2010

Iran
Back
MenuIranian President
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad presented a new attack bomber combat drone, the
Karrar.

At the time of a speech this August 22nd, 2010, Iranian
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad presented a new combat
drone of attack with capacities of bombardment, information
of Iranian national television. This new drone was baptized
Karrar, it is able to carry various types of bomb, but
its range was not specified. This system is entirely
produced in Iran, and is able to run long distance with
a high speed. The Karrar Drone was revealed two days
after the firing success of the ground-to-ground missile
Qiam. Iran, continuous to produce a big number of weapons
systems, and two new production lines for fast patrol
boats “Seraj” and “Zolfagar”
with systems of missiles must be inaugurated in the
next days. Following the opening of its new nuclear
plant, Israel and the United States do not exclude an
attack against Iran to stop its nuclear program. The
Westerners suspect Iran, in spite of its repeated denials,
to seek to manufacture the atomic weapon under cover
of its civil nuclear program.22 August 2010

United
States Back
MenuNew EFV Expeditionary
Fighting Vehicle Prototype Tests at Camp Pendleton.

The
latest prototype of the troubled Expeditionary Fighting
Vehicle demonstrates its high speed water manoeuvrability
off the coast of Camp Pendleton. The newest variant
of the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle throttles all
2,700 horsepower and lifts out of the glassy water gliding
like a jet ski. Although the EFV program manager's RHIB
has no problem keeping up with the 30 mph speed of the
78,000-pound EFV, it is a breathtaking advancement from
its venerable predecessor, the Amphibious Assault Vehicle,
which comparatively crawls at 9 mph in water. The EFV
is expected to enter limited production in 2012 and
the Marine Corps has planned to field 573 vehicles by
2026 according to the EFV Program Office in Woodbridge,
Va.21 August 2010

Granite
Tactical Vehicles announces its intentions to market
its Light Armored Vehicle known as the, "ROCK,"
in the United States. After more than 6 years, and millions
of logged miles of proven service in both Iraq and Afghanistan,
the ROCK is ready to meet the apparent and increasing
needs that threaten the US borders. These current threats
to Homeland Security have created high interest in the
ROCK's abilities and performance. The ROCK is the most
aggressive and survivable vehicle in its class. Its
design and capabilities have repeatedly outperformed
its competition, meeting current and future law enforcement
needs with its ability to adapt to new threats. With
the current drawdown of US military forces in Iraq,
and the Administration's plan to double the number of
private contractors, interest in the ROCK armored vehicle
has grown exponentially.20 August 2010

South
Africa Back
MenuSouth African
Army engineers could play a bigger role in national development.

The
Department of Defence (DoD) is looking to increase the
role of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF)
in national development missions. While the primary
role of the SANDF is to protect the territorial integrity
of the country, it also has the secondary role of supporting
other government departments and the South African people.
“The National Defence Force assists . . . the
civilian authorities on request,” explains Defence
Secretariat acting director: communications strategy
and content development Sam Mkhwanazi.20 August 2010

Mongolia
Back
MenuUnited States
to Donate 68 Ford Jeeps to Mongolian Army.

The
U.S military delegation led by the Assistant Secretary
of Defense, Asian and Pacific Security Affairs, Defense
Department of the United States of America Wallace Gregson
is in Ulaanbaatar for a working visit. On August 19,
Prime Minister S.Batbold, the Defense Minister L.Bold
and the Chief of General Staff of Armed Forces General-Lieutenant
Ts.Byambajav received Wallace Gregsonled delegation
in separate meetings, to share views on issues of mutual
interests. The U.S military delegation is to attend
the ongoing multi-national, peace supporting operational
exercise “Khaan Quest” taking place in the
Tavan Tolgoi Training Area. They are to hand over the
first eighteen Ford jeeps donated by the U.S Government
to Mongolian army. In total, the U.S government will
donate 68 Ford jeeps. 20 August 2010

Iran
Back
MenuNo decision
from Moscow about the S-300 delivery in Iran.

No
decision has been taken yet on the delivery of S-300
air defense systems to Iran, Russian Defense Minister
Anatoly Serdyukov said on Friday. Russia signed a contract
on delivering at least five S-300 systems to Iran in
December 2005, but the contract's implementation has
so far been delayed. On June 9, the UN Security Council
approved a fourth round of sanctions against Iran over
its nuclear program, including tougher financial controls
and an expanded arms embargo. Later, the United States
and the EU imposed extra sanctions against the Islamic
republic. The sale of S-300 air defense systems is believed
to fall under the sanctions, though Russia said the
delivery would not be affected since the weapons are
not included in the UN Register of Conventional Arms.
The head of the Russian State Technology Corporation
Rostekhnologii, Sergei Chemezov, said in July that the
contract had not been cancelled.20 August 2010

United
States Back
MenuEnd of the
combat mission for the American army troops in Iraq.

The
United States withdrew this night their last brigade
of Iraq, two weeks before the deadline of August 31st,
which had been fixed for this withdrawal. After 7 years
of presence on the Iraqi ground, the American army again
crossed thus the Kuwaiti border for a return to the
country, and enclosed the end of the mission of combat
in the country. The end of the mission of the American
troops in Iraq was fixed at September 1st, 2010. There
will remain still 50.000 American soldiers in Iraq who
will have of trainer and military adviser. The complete
withdrawal of the American troops of Iraq is planned
for January 2012, 4.419 American were killed since the
invasion of Iraq. 19 August 2010

Russia
Back
MenuFor 2011,
the Russian Army will obtain new modernized ground-to-air missile TOR-M2U.

In
2011, the Russian Army will start to obtain modernized
ground-to-air missiles systems TOR-M2U, announced this
18 August 2010 to the journalists the chief of the DCA
of the Army, the general Mikhaïl Crouch. According
to the general, this system is able to strike to four
targets simultaneously, its performances being improved
considerably. The number of missiles carried by the
wheeled chassis was doubled, while passing from 8 to
16. The general stressed that the DCA of the Army had
an important potential of modernization, the existing
armaments being in the course of improvement. The TOR-M2U
is a mobile anti-aircraft system of short range. It
is used for defense against the weapons of utmost precision,
the drones, the fighter-bombers and the helicopters.18 August 2010

Law
enforcement agencies and special services of the Shanghai
Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states will start
antiterrorism drills in southern Russia's Saratov Region
on 16 August 2010, the regional governor's press service
reported. "In line with the decision of the National
Antiterrorism Committee, an international operational
and strategic exercise of SCO member states, with participation
of Russian, Kyrgyz and Kazakh law enforcement agencies
and special services, will be held in the Saratov Region
on August 16-28," the press service said. The exercises
will be held in two stages: the first stage on August
16-23, and the second on August 25-28. "During
the first stage of drills, joint actions by Russian,
Kyrgyz and Kazakh law enforcement agencies and special
services to conduct coordinated operational and investigative
activities against a hypothetical terrorist group are
to be practiced," the press service said. "At
the second stage, a counter terrorism operation is to
be conducted on a mass facility in Saratov," it
said. The SCO is a security organization consisting
of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan
and Uzbekistan. India, Iran, Mongolia and Pakistan have
observer status. 16 August 2010

Special
tactical peacekeeping drills Steppe Eagle 2010 start
this 16 August 2010 at Ili training polygon in Almaty
region. The militaries of three countries take part
in it; Kazakhstan, USA and Great Britain. The representatives
of the Armed Forces of these states took part in the
opening ceremony, the press-office of the Ministry of
Defense informs. The goal of the drills is to address
issues of common security, coordinate and correct interaction
while peacekeeping activities and other tactical tasks.
The drills are to last for ten days. On August 25-26
the forces of three countries will demonstrate the skills
gained within the drills.16 August 2010

South
Korea Back
MenuBig joint
military exercices for United and South Korea.

Military
operations began this Monday, August 16, 2010 between
South Korea and the United States, with the participation
of 56.000 soldiers on the Korean side and 30.000 American
soldiers, in spite of the threats launched by the North
Korea. The exercise should last ten days. The North
Korea is completely to oppose to these operations, and
indicated that it could react severely against the United
States and to South Korea to answer these military exercises.
The shipwreck of the military corvette Cheonan on March
26th, 2010 largely degraded the relations between the
two countries, but the North Korea contradicted always
to be implied in this shipwreck and qualified these
new operations like a repetition for a military invasion.
The American General Walter Shap, commander-in-chief
of the American troops in South Korea indicated that
these operations most important were ever carried out
in the world. 16 August 2010

The
Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) has today
announced this 13 August 2010, the contract for 113
armoured vehicles goes to Patria. The contract includes
an option for another 113 vehicles. The value of the
deal is approximately SEK 2.5 billion.
- I am very pleased that the FMV has found our AMV vehicle
to meet best their requirements. We offer the Swedish
soldiers a safe and field-proven vehicle which can be
of vital importance in the extreme conditions the soldiers
operate. At the same time we offer Sweden a true Nordic
solution as well as 100% offset. Since the operating
principle of Patria is strongly networked this contract
is significant to our co-operators in Finland and abroad
– especially in Sweden where Patria has also had
a long cooperation in the area of the armoured military
vehicle supply. Patria’s focus on its key competencies
will be also strengthened further since the final assembly
of AMVs will take place in Finland, states Mr Seppo
Seppälä, President of Patria Land & Armament
Oy.
The 113 vehicles ordered by the FMV will be delivered
by the end of 2013 for making it possible the Swedish
Army to have the operating capability with them during
2014. Patria AMV was launched in 2004. Until today Patria
has contracts for some 1300 vehicles with among others
Finland and Poland. 15 August 2010

Russia
Back
MenuRussia will
be equipped in the future with new air defense missile systems.

The
Air Defense System of Moscow and the Russian Central
Economic region will receive new weapons, including
prestigious S-400 and S-500 air defense systems, Air
Force Commander Colonel General Alexander Zelin said
on Saturday. "We have Air Defense System which
protects Moscow and the Central Economic region; this
system operates, accomplishes tasks and, of course,
undergoes changes," Zelin said. Central economic
region is located in the European part of Russia; it
is the country's major industrial region. Besides Moscow,
major cities include Nizhny Novgorod, Smolensk, Yaroslavl,
Vladimir, Tula, Dzerzhinsk, and Rybinsk. "We will
buy a significant number of S-400s before 2020. They
will not just go to the five anti-aircraft missile regiments
equipped with this system, but also to a much larger
number [of regiments.] We are also discussing the purchase
of S-500 anti-aircraft missile systems," Zelin
said. The S-400 Triumf (SA-21 Growler) is designed to
intercept and destroy airborne targets at distances
of up to 400 kilometers (250 miles), twice the range
of the U.S. MIM-104 Patriot, and two-and-a-half times
that of Russia's S-300PMU-2. So far, Russia has three
S-400 battalions.15 August 2010

Abkhazia
Back
MenuRussia deploys
S-300 air defense missile system in Abkhazia.

Russia
has deployed S-300 air defense systems in Georgia's
breakaway region of Abkhazia, the commander of the Russian
Air Force said. "We have placed the S-300 systems
in Abkhazia to protect the airspace of Abkhazia and
South Ossetia in conjunction with other air defense
means deployed by the Ground Forces," Col. Gen.
Alexander Zelin told reporters. He added that the air
defense assets deployed in the two former Georgian republics
will also help to prevent any violation of Russian airspace
and destroy any airborne "intruders" regardless
of their purpose. Zelin was not specific on the number
and type of the S-300 deployed in Abkhazia. The advanced
version of the S-300 missile system, called S-300PMU1,
has a range of over 150 kilometers (over 100 miles)
and can intercept ballistic missiles and aircraft at
low and high altitudes, making it effective in warding
off potential air and missile strikes. Russia recognized
Abkhazia and South Ossetia two weeks after a five-day
war with Georgia in August 2008, which began when Georgian
forces attacked South Ossetia in an attempt to bring
it back under central control. Russia also signed earlier
this year agreements with South Ossetia and Abkhazia
on establishing permanent Russian military bases there.
The military bases are located in Gudauta, Abkhazia,
and in South Ossetia's capital Tskhinvali. Each base
is likely to host up to 1,700 servicemen, T-62 tanks,
light armored vehicles, air defense systems and various
aircraft.12 August 2010

Venezuela
Back
MenuHugo Chavez
and Juan Manuel Santos have agreed to restore diplomatic ties following
a dispute last month.

Venezuela
and Colombian presidents, Hugo Chavez and Juan Manuel
Santos have agreed to restore diplomatic ties following
a dispute last month. It is the first major initiative
from the newly elected Colombian leader although it’s
not clear how Santos’s rightist policies will
rub along with the volatile Socialist Chavez. The row
had involved accusations that Venezuela was harbouring
Colombian rebels, but Colombia’s President Juan
Manuel Santos seems to have been reassured over the
matter. “President Chavez told me that he will
not allow any presence on his territory of outlawed
groups. And this is something very important for us,
and I think this is an important step in order to keep
our relations on a solid basis,” said Santos.
When the former Colombian president Alvaro Uribe publicly
produced evidence of the camps inside Venezuela, Chavez
cut all ties with his neighbour. Santos who wants trade
benefits for Colombian food producers has subsequently
distanced himself from his predecessor.11 August 2010

During
Elbit Systems' latest exhibition displaying advanced
land and C4I solutions, the Company launched two new
members of the VIPeR family of intelligent and portable
robots: Mini-VIPeR and Maxi-VIPeR, which join the combat-proven
VIPeR robot, already operational in the Israel Defense
Forces under the Hebrew name "Pazit." Building
on Elbit Systems' extensive experience and know-how
in the unmanned systems field, and using a common control
system, the robots feature intuitive operation and enable
real-time reconnaissance, in addition to arena clearing,
in-building mapping, decoy and screening functions.
The Mini-VIPeR robot is an extremely light-weight one-person
portable system (weighing approximately 3.5 kg), equipped
with advanced sensors that allow full operation in various
adverse terrains, as well as allowing ground forces
to survey structures before entering by literally throwing
the robot through the window or into a dark tunnel.
The larger compact robot, Maxi-VIPeR, allows the disarming
of explosives and handling radioactive materials using
its robotic arm and the various advanced sensors. Designed
to reduce the danger to the dismounted force during
different phases of combat, the VIPeR family of robots
can take on many of the challenges faced by land warriors
engaged in today's low intensity conflicts (LIC). Portable
and highly mobile, the robots are configurable for multiple
types of missions by add-on sensors, modules and payloads,
tailored to specific tasks.10 August 2010

South
Korea Back
MenuThe tensions
continue between South and North Korea.

South
Korea has demanded the swift return of a fishing boat
after it and its seven man crew were seized by the neighbouring
North. South Korean coastguard officials are unsure
where exactly the vessel was when it was detained in
the sea of Japan, but say the crew are being questioned
for crossing into the North’s waters. South Korean
Unification Ministry spokesman Chun Hae-sung said: ‘‘The
South Korean government insists on the prompt return
of our fishing boat crews and the boat taken by North
Korea yesterday along with immediate measures from the
North according to international law.’‘
Fishing boats have frequently been stopped over the
years in the Korean peninsula’s disputed waters.
But, the latest incident will only add to simmering
animosity between the two Koreas. Tension remains high
with Seoul continuing to stage military drills off its
west coast following the sinking of one of its warships
in March.09 August 2010

India
Back
MenuThe Indian
Army is placing an order for 124 Arjun Tanks Mark II.

The
Indian Army is placing an order for 124 Arjun Tanks
Mark II in addition to the equal number of Mark Is ordered
earlier. Tank T-90, Tank T-72, and Arjun tanks are all
main battle tanks of the Indian Army. This information
was given by Defence Minister Shri AK Antony in a written
reply to Shri BP Tarai and Shri Prabodh Panda in Lok
Sabha today. 09 August 2010

The
Iraqi Army has accepted an initial supply of 11 US-built
tanks in advance of the withdrawal of US forces from
Iraq in coming months. The 11 M1A1 Abrams Main Battle
Tanks (MBTs) represent the first wave of a much larger
delivery which will eventually see the Iraqi Army equipped
with 140 examples. The last of these will be delivered
by the end of 2011, the point at which US troops will
start vacating Iraq as per the terms of a security agreement
established between Washington and Baghdad in 2008.
The Abrams M1A1 Iraqi tanks news was announced by a
spokesman for the Iraqi defence ministry. “Today,
Iraq received 11 US-made tanks as part of an agreement
with the US to hand over 140 tanks to the Iraqi army”,
Major General Mohammed al-Askari advised news agency
AFP. He continued: “This step is part of preparations
by Iraqi forces to take over security responsibilities
and build a strong army as the US withdraws. This delivery
will help to form the military's first armoured division
since 2003.” Several days earlier, the US Army
issued its own statement to the media, describing how
the Iraqi M1A1 Abrams would be based at Besmaya Range
Complex: a training facility close to Baghdad, control
of which was only recently given back to Iraqi forces.09 August 2010

The
Russian Defense Ministry is going to set up a joint
assembly line with the Italian automaker Iveco to produce
LMV M65 tactical vehicles in Russia, the Kommersant
daily said on Friday. The Italian vehicles have already
been included on the list of Russian military equipment,
the paper said. The LMV M65 is a light multirole armored
vehicle developed in 2001 by Iveco Defense Vehicles.
It is designed primarily for strategic and tactical
mobility with a high level of protection against anti-tank
and anti-personnel mines Italian LMVs have been used
in Iraq, Afghanistan and other NATO missions, where
their performance has been praised. The Russian state
corporation Rostekhnologii is currently holding talks
with Iveco on launching the joint venture with planned
minimum capacity of 500 vehicles per year. The move
is a serious blow to the interests of the Russkie Mashiny
company headed by tycoon Oleg Deripaska. His company
produces Tigr (Gaz-233014) vehicles with characteristics
close to LMV M56 ones. The Gaz-233014 vehicles entered
into service in 2006. The LMV M65 assembly line will
be based at one of the sites belonging to leading Russian
truck manufacturer KamAZ, the paper said, citing a source
close to the Defense Ministry. "This project has
been approved at the highest level, the country's top
leadership is abreast of the situation," the source
said. "The Iveco vehicles assembled in Russia are
expected to be acquired by the Russian Interior Ministry
and the Federal Security Service of Russian Federation,"
he added. A representative of the state Rostekhnologii
corporation also confirmed the plans, adding that the
details were being negotiated. The Russian Defense Ministry
will acquire 278 Italian vehicles in 2011 and 2012,
and during the next two years the volumes of supplies
will be increased to 458 vehicles per year. In 2015,
the ministry will buy 228 vehicles and 75 vehicles in
2016, the source said. The Defense Ministry plans to
spend some 30 billion rubles ($1 billion) on the project
in the next few years, and Rostekhnologii has pledged
that the average price of a vehicle will not exceed
300,000 Euros ($395,340).06 August 2010

Kyrgyzstan
Back
MenuKyrgyz police
fired shots in the air to disperse anti-government protestors.

Kyrgyz
police and special forces ride on an armoured vehicle
while dispersing supporters of Kyrgyz businessman and
political leader Urmat Baryktobasov outside Bishkek
on August 5, 2010. Kyrgyz police fired shots in the
air to disperse anti-government protestors as twin demonstrations
in support of a renegade businessman rocked the tense
Central Asian country.05 August 2010

Lebanon
Back
MenuBorder clash
in which an Israeli helicopter gunship attacked a Lebanese army post.

The
UN is calling for restraint after a border clash in
which an Israeli helicopter gunship attacked a Lebanese
army post with rocket fire killing four people. Lebanese
soldiers are said to have opened fire with automatic
weapons. The Israeli military has confirmed the death
of an Israeli officer, identifying him as a batallion
commander. The skirmish erupted as Israeli border guards
attempted to remove foliage on the Lebanese side of
the frontier which, they say, was obstructing their
view. The clash is the most serious exchange between
the two sides since a brief war four years ago. Milos
Strugar, the UNIFIL Director of Political and Civil
Affairs said: “Our acting force commander General
Bonfanti has been in contact with the top leadership
of the Lebanese army and with the commander of the Israeli
army urging maximum restraint.” Three Lebanese
soldiers and a journalist are said to have been killed.03 August 2010

Israeli
soldier at the border with Israel and Lebanon

United
States (Oshkosh) Back
MenuFirst Oshkosh
Defense Vehicles to Enter Iraqi Fleet.

Oshkosh
Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation, announced
today its first ever order for vehicles to the Iraqi
Armed Forces. The inaugural order is for 60 Heavy Equipment
Transporter Systems (HETS), which includes the Oshkosh
HET vehicle and a trailer. Oshkosh also will provide
operator training, spare parts and manuals. “Oshkosh
Defense is committed to helping international militaries
become more independent by supplying vehicles that increase
their mission and logistics support capabilities,”
said Ron Ziebell, Oshkosh Defense vice president and
general manager, International Programs. “We look
forward to working with the Iraqi Armed Forces as they
strive to improve security within the region.”
01 August 2010